Le Destin de la Reine Serpentine est un short drama captivant mêlant pouvoir, trahison et destin dans un monde rempli d’intrigues. Autrefois trahie et rejetée, une femme mystérieuse revient plus forte pour reprendre la place qui lui appartient et dévoiler les complots cachés derrière le trône. Entre ennemis redoutables, alliances fragiles et secrets dangereux, son ascension transforme la peur de ses adversaires en véritable respect. Avec des rebondissements dramatiques, une héroïne puissante et une lutte impitoyable pour le pouvoir, ce short drama raconte l’histoire d’une reine qui renaît pour régner.
#ledestindelareineserpentine #reineserpentine #dramaroyal #vengeancereine #pouvoirettrahison #shortdrama #dramashorts #minidrama #sériecourte #dramafantastique
#ledestindelareineserpentine #reineserpentine #dramaroyal #vengeancereine #pouvoirettrahison #shortdrama #dramashorts #minidrama #sériecourte #dramafantastique
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Selina, Jacob and I truly love each other. Can't you just let us be together? We've already shared a bed.
00:05If I don't marry him, how could I ever marry anyone else?
00:09In a daze, I heard my younger sister Bella crying out. Father stood nearby, speaking up in her defense.
00:15Selina, maybe you could choose another fiancé instead. Bella just made a mistake in a moment of poor judgment.
00:21He had always been biased toward Bella. After all, she was the legitimate daughter of his official wife,
00:26while I was merely the illegitimate child from one of his affairs.
00:30I looked at Bella, who was kneeling on the ground. Though her face was streaked with tears and full of
00:35pitiful sorrow,
00:36the ambition and excitement in her eyes were unmistakable. I knew then, she had been reborn too.
00:41And this time, she had made it to Jacob's bed before I did.
00:45In my past life, I had chosen Jacob, the eldest son of the wolf clan, as my fiancée.
00:50I saw the serpent clan as cold-blooded and unfeeling, the fox clan as frivolous and unfaithful,
00:55and the dragon clan as proud and arrogant. Only the wolf clan, known for their loyalty and devotion,
01:01seemed worthy of trust. Six months after marrying Jacob, I got pregnant with our child.
01:06And then I gave birth to a half-beast white wolf, our son Tristan.
01:10As the first half-beast child born from the human-beast union,
01:13Tristan naturally became the next leader of the human-beast alliance.
01:16Bella, enamored by the fox clan's beauty, had chosen their heir, Lucien.
01:21But she didn't expect him to be a shameless womanizer, constantly entangled with other lovers.
01:26Eventually, she contracted a disease because of him one that left her infertile and scorned by the fox clan.
01:31She blamed me for misfortune, jealous that I had lived a better life than she did.
01:35One night, she drugged me in secret and set a fire that burned both me and Tristan alive.
01:40In memory, hatred surged in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to kill Bella right then and there and
01:46avenge Tristan.
01:47I clenched my fists inside my sleeves. The pain in my palms sobered me slightly.
01:52Then I slowly nodded, masking my fury with a look of understanding.
01:56If Bella and Jacob truly love each other, I'd never stand in the way of their happiness.
02:01Bella hadn't expected me to agree so easily.
02:03The tears she had squeezed out now hung awkwardly at the corners of her eyes.
02:07Bella, get up now. Hurry and thank your sister for stepping aside.
02:12Father urged, clearly relieved.
02:14Thank you, Selina.
02:16Bella beamed as she rushed out, eager to bring the good news to Jacob and the wolf clan.
02:21Girls really do grow up and slip away too quickly.
02:23Father joked. But when he turned and saw the cold indifference on my face, his voice faltered.
02:28Selina, among the eligible Beast Clan heirs, only two remain.
02:33Elias of the Serpent Clan and Lucien of the Fox Clan.
02:36I still think the Fox Clan would be a better match better looks.
02:39Higher status, clearly superior to the Serpent Clan.
02:42Besides, Bella once said dash.
02:44I cut him off.
02:45Father, I choose to marry Elias of the Serpent Clan.
02:49To most humans, snakes were cold blooded and heartless.
02:52And that prejudice extended to the Serpent Clan Beast Clan.
02:55For thousands of years, no human had ever chosen to marry into the Serpent Clan.
03:00As a result, they had never produced a single ruler for the Human-Beast Alliance.
03:04Eventually, they were cast out from the ranks of the five great beast families and reduced to the lowest tier
03:09of the beast clans.
03:10Denied even the smallest share of resources.
03:13But in my past life, as the fire consumed me, I saw a pair of emerald green eyes Eliases.
03:18He tried to save me.
03:19But the flames were too fierce.
03:21And he, could do nothing.
03:23Although Father disapproved of my decision, when he saw the resolve on my face, he didn't press further.
03:28He simply sighed and tried to console me.
03:30If your life in the Serpent Clan becomes too difficult, perhaps Bella can help you out.
03:35But when Bella found out I had chosen to marry into the Serpent Clan, she couldn't resist mocking me to
03:39my face.
03:40Selina, even if you couldn't marry Jacob, surely you didn't have to stoop to the declining Serpent Clan?
03:46Don't end up starving to death before you even manage to bear a child.
03:49I heard they're struggling just to stay fed these days.
03:52The Wolf Clan is wealthy beyond measure.
03:54Even their bathwater is infused with precious divine herbs.
03:58If your life gets too miserable, I can pack up some leftovers and send them your way.
04:03She covered her mouth and burst out laughing, ignoring the awkward glances from the servants around us.
04:08In Bella's eyes, the Wolf Clan had vast resources, and Jacob's devotion would guarantee a swift pregnancy.
04:14She was certain I'd miss my chance at bearing the first half-beast child.
04:18But she had no idea how difficult it was for humans and beast folk to conceive.
04:22Nor did she know how obsessed Jacob was with having an heir.
04:25When I didn't show signs of pregnancy after six months, he began taking out his frustration on me, tormenting me
04:31day and night.
04:32Only after I used a secret technique to conceive and gave birth to Tristan, securing the Wolf Clan's claim to
04:37power, did Jacob finally relent.
04:39I offered Bella a calm smile.
04:41You needn't worry about me, dear sister.
04:44Since I've chosen my husband, I'll live with my decision without regret.
04:48What's there to be proud of?
04:49You're marrying a penniless nobody.
04:52Infuriated by my composure, Bella slammed the table, scattering the pastries across the floor.
04:57I'll be the first one to get pregnant.
04:59My child will definitely be the next ruler of the Alliance.
05:02I ignored her tantrum and went off to prepare for my wedding in three days.
05:06For one thing, she wasn't wrong.
05:08The Serpent Clan was indeed very poor.
05:10I worried they might not even have the money for a proper gown, so I planned to prepare one myself.
05:15To my surprise, that very evening, Elias came in person to deliver my wedding dress.
05:20It was the first time I truly saw his face.
05:23His skin was pale, almost bloodless.
05:26His long narrow eyes carried a quiet authority, and the emerald green of his irises held a mysterious depth.
05:32Yet the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye lent a subtle grace to his otherwise austere expression.
05:37Inside the box lay a floor-length gown of deep green tulle.
05:40The bodice shimmered faintly with scale-snake scales stitched into the fabric.
05:44I had never seen such a beautiful dress.
05:46For a moment, I was completely captivated.
05:49Selina, Elias said calmly.
05:51This gown was hand-stitched by our Serpent Clan's finest seamstresses.
05:55Each scale was a blessing offered by our people.
05:58His gaze carried a deliberate detachment,
05:59as if the person marrying me wasn't him at all.
06:02This is the first time our Serpent Clan has ever wed a human.
06:05If anything has been done poorly, you're welcome to tell me.
06:08Thank you, I replied.
06:10I truly love it.
06:12Just as I was about to put the dress away,
06:14Bella strolled in, arm-in-arm with Jacob, smug and beaming.
06:17Selina, don't tell me this is the only gown you got.
06:20Jacob had ten dresses made for me.
06:22Ten.
06:23Jacob looked down at Bella with affection in his eyes.
06:26Bella only knew of the Wolf Clan's famous loyalty,
06:29but she didn't understand it was rooted in their biological instincts
06:32and their intense obsession with offspring.
06:34If she failed to conceive,
06:35would Jacob still treat her with such tenderness?
06:38Elias's grip on his Serpent Staff tightened slightly
06:40before he raised his eyes to meet mine.
06:42If the Serpent Clan has caused you any grievance,
06:45Selina, I can promise you this.
06:47I, Elias, will never betray you in this lifetime.
06:50Bella snorted.
06:51Anyone can talk sweet.
06:53Let's see if you can actually produce a child.
06:55Now, all she ever talked about was children.
06:58Her infertility in her past life had become a thorn in her heart,
07:01and now she was fixated on getting pregnant.
07:03Even before marrying Jacob,
07:05she had already moved into his home.
07:07In that sense,
07:08she and Jacob were a perfect match both obsessively fixated on heirs.
07:12Bella, perhaps you should focus on your own wedding.
07:15People might start to think you've set your sights on my fiancé instead.
07:18I smiled faintly,
07:20and under the sour expressions of Bella and Jacob,
07:22I took Elias's hand and walked away.
07:25Behind me,
07:25I could still hear Bella's shrill voice clinging to Jacob,
07:28her words faint but unmistakable,
07:30pregnancy, child, next ruler.
07:33Oh, my foolishness.
07:34Even after a second chance at life,
07:36she still believed that a child was her only path to power.
07:40Elias's cool voice sounded beside my ear.
07:42Selina,
07:43I know you chose me because you had no other option,
07:46but I promise,
07:46within my power,
07:47I will never let you suffer.
07:49I turned instinctively at the sound of his voice,
07:51and accidentally stumbled into his chest.
07:53A strange yet pleasant scent drifted into my nose.
07:56I looked up at him and said slowly,
07:58with deliberate clarity,
07:59Elias,
08:00I chose you willingly.
08:01A flicker of something unreadable passed through Elias's eyes.
08:05Alright.
08:05Selina.
08:06Three days later,
08:07the wedding arrived as scheduled.
08:09Both ceremonies were held in the same grand restaurant.
08:12The Wolf Clan's wedding was even more extravagant than in my previous life.
08:16They had gone so far as to invite the reclusive Phoenix Clan to perform,
08:19and all the major noble houses attended in full force.
08:23Meanwhile,
08:23the Serpent Clan celebration was quieter,
08:25with no distinguished guests,
08:27yet the Clan members beamed with genuine joy.
08:29After all,
08:30this was their first marriage to a human A sign,
08:32they might finally have a chance at producing the next ruler of the Alliance.
08:36After the ceremony,
08:37I ran into Bella face to face.
08:39She deliberately tilted her chin,
08:41making sure I noticed the marks on her neck.
08:43Selina,
08:44I didn't know Wolfman had such,
08:46stamina.
08:47At this rate,
08:47I'll be giving them an air in no time.
08:49I smiled politely.
08:51Then I sincerely wish you the best of luck.
08:53Bella was grossly underestimating the difficulty of pregnancy,
08:56between humans and beast kin.
08:58Our species was fundamentally different.
09:01Even in the best conditions,
09:03natural conception took at least a year.
09:05She assumed I got pregnant easily in our past life,
09:08and so she believed the same would come just as easily to her.
09:11She even boasted to the Wolf Clan that she'd be pregnant within six months.
09:15Word had spread quickly.
09:17Seeing how confident she was,
09:19Jacob hadn't even questioned it.
09:20But to Bella,
09:21my composure looked like a personal challenge.
09:23Forget it.
09:24It's not like you'd understand anyway.
09:26You've married into a beggar's den.
09:28She shot a disdainful glance at the Serpent Clan members nearby,
09:31lifted her skirt,
09:32and walked past me.
09:33I grabbed her arm,
09:35stopping her.
09:35Bella,
09:36apologize.
09:37Apologize to the Serpent Clan.
09:39Her expression darkened.
09:40She yanked her arm free and yelled,
09:42Selina,
09:43have you lost your mind?
09:44The remaining guests in the hall stopped to watch as we argued,
09:47eager for the drama.
09:47In the end,
09:48our father had to step in.
09:50Once he understood what had happened,
09:51he forced Bella to apologize to the Serpent Clan.
09:54Though the Serpent Clan ranked lowest among the Beastkin,
09:56they would still unite against human humiliation.
09:59Before leaving,
10:00Bella shot me a vicious glare and muttered under her breath,
10:02Selina,
10:03I'm going to win this life.
10:04Just you wait.
10:05On our wedding night,
10:06I stared at Elias's bare body,
10:08frozen in place.
10:09No one had ever told me snakes had two.
10:12Seeing me motionless on the bed,
10:13Elias misunderstood.
10:14With a pale expression,
10:15he bent down to gather his clothes and began dressing.
10:18What do you think you're doing?
10:20I snatched the fabric from his hands,
10:22my displeasure written all over my face.
10:24I,
10:24I thought you didn't want to.
10:25He stammered,
10:26standing awkwardly by the bed,
10:28the emerald in his eyes dimming.
10:29If he hadn't made the first move,
10:31then I would.
10:32I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his neck,
10:35pulling him down onto the bed as our bodies touched.
10:37That subtle familiar scent surrounded me again.
10:39Elias,
10:40you smell really nice.
10:41I murmured without thinking.
10:42He froze for a moment,
10:44then the tips of his ears turned faintly pink.
10:46The next moment,
10:47his kiss deepened,
10:48trailing from my forehead all the way down.
10:50Fingers interlaced,
10:51we shared a night of wild pleasure.
10:53I had once believed the wolf clan's strength
10:55made them the best choice in bed.
10:57But the serpent clan had their own,
10:58unique qualities.
11:00Elias didn't stop until dawn lit the sky,
11:02and I practically begged for rest.
11:04Three months later,
11:05news broke,
11:06Bella was pregnant.
11:07I was stunned.
11:08In thousands of years,
11:09no human had ever conceived of a beast kin
11:11in just three months.
11:12Had I not seen her swollen belly with my own eyes,
11:14I wouldn't have believed it.
11:16The wolf clan threw a grand celebration for the unborn child,
11:19inviting all the noble families to share their joy.
11:21Our ancestors must be watching over us.
11:23A child in just three months,
11:25what a miracle.
11:25Jacob raised his cup high,
11:27pride written all over his face.
11:29Many guests approached to flatter him,
11:30eager to earn the wolf clan's favor.
11:32Everyone agreed,
11:33the next ruler of the alliance
11:34would undoubtedly come from the wolf clan.
11:36Now was the perfect time to curry favor.
11:38By status,
11:39I should have been seated with Elias
11:41at the end of the banquet hall,
11:42but Bella had insisted to Jacob
11:44that I be placed beside her.
11:45She couldn't pass up a chance to show off.
11:48As she stroked her belly,
11:49she cast me a smug look.
11:51Selena,
11:51three months and still no news from your belly?
11:53Seems like you're really lacking.
11:55Your womb doesn't even try.
11:56Half beasts matured rapidly.
11:58Two months was enough for them to be born.
12:01Based on her size,
12:02her child would arrive next month,
12:03but she had no idea
12:04how large half beast infants were.
12:06Without managing her diet,
12:08she'd suffer greatly during labor.
12:10I had carefully controlled my weight in my past life,
12:12yet childbirth still took a full day and night,
12:14and the pain nearly made me wish for death.
12:16But the moment I saw my child safely born,
12:19sleeping peacefully in my arms,
12:20I knew I had no regrets.
12:22I took a sip of wine and said flatly,
12:24Historically,
12:24the quickest conception between human and beast kin
12:27took a full year,
12:28but you took only three months.
12:30Whatever methods you used,
12:31only you know.
12:32Bella whipped her head toward me,
12:33her eyes darting in guilty panic.
12:35Selena,
12:36what are you implying?
12:37She couldn't even withstand the slightest probing.
12:39Bella still couldn't keep her composure.
12:41May you have a safe delivery, Bella.
12:43I raised my glass to toast her,
12:45then left the banquet with Elias by my side.
12:47One month later,
12:48Bella endured three full days and nights of labor
12:51before finally giving birth.
12:52But seven days passed,
12:53and the wolf clan still hadn't announced the child's arrival.
12:56Even when father tried to visit,
12:58they refused him entry.
12:59There was no doubt something was wrong with the child.
13:01Half a month later,
13:03father summoned me home.
13:04Seeing the worry in Elias's eyes before I left,
13:07I finally relented and asked him to come with me.
13:09In the living room,
13:10Bella sat on the floor sobbing,
13:12clutching a half-beast red wolf pup in her arms.
13:14This is Jacob's child.
13:16Isn't a color mutation in wolf burr completely normal?
13:18Bella clung stubbornly to the claim
13:20that the red-furred pup was Jacob's.
13:22But what she didn't know was that Jacob
13:23was a purebred white wolf.
13:25His bloodline had never carried the gene for red wolves.
13:28Jacob's expression was stormy,
13:30his entire body radiating fury.
13:32Bella, whose bastard is this?
13:34Who did you sleep with behind my back?
13:35If you don't tell me the truth right now,
13:37I'll kill this muggle myself.
13:38Our father, pale with fear,
13:40rushed to intervene.
13:41Jacob, calm down.
13:42This must be some kind of misunderstanding.
13:44Bella loves you so much.
13:45How could she possibly betray you?
13:47Encouraged by father's support,
13:49Bella quickly brought the child to Jacob,
13:50her voice soft and coaxing.
13:52Look, he looks just like you.
13:53His eyes are identical.
13:55Jacob coldly took the red pup from her arms.
13:57The small wolf pup,
13:58who had been sleeping soundly,
13:59burst into loud, terrified wails
14:01the moment it saw Jacob's face.
14:02That heart-wrenching cry
14:03stabbed through me like a knife,
14:05evoking the memory of Tristan
14:06screaming in the fire in my past life.
14:08Pain seized my chest.
14:09I could barely breathe.
14:10My brows furrowed tightly.
14:12Elias noticed my discomfort
14:13and gently covered my ears,
14:15mistaking my distress
14:16for a dislike of a child's crying.
14:18Filthy mutt!
14:18Jacob cursed,
14:19raising the red pup high above his head,
14:21then suddenly hurled it toward the ground
14:22with all his strength.
14:23Elias and I lunged at the same time.
14:25In the end, the little red pup
14:27landed safely in Elias' arms.
14:29No matter how much I wanted
14:30to destroy Bella and Jacob,
14:31the pup was innocent.
14:32Everyone in the hall was stunned,
14:34especially Bella.
14:35Her face went ghostly pale,
14:37and she trembled uncontrollably.
14:39Jacob, how could you be so cruel?
14:41Jacob looked at her
14:42with none of the affection he once had.
14:43Bella, the Wolf Clan values loyalty
14:45and devotion to our mates.
14:47You betrayed me clearly.
14:48What right do you have
14:49to accuse me of cruelty?
14:50If there was one redeeming quality
14:51about Jacob,
14:52it was his unwavering loyalty.
14:54In our past life,
14:55even after I failed to conceive
14:57for six months,
14:58he never considered
14:59taking another mate.
15:00He just tortured me
15:01to vent his frustration.
15:02I wondered now
15:03if Bella would be able
15:04to endure that same devotion.
15:05The argument between them
15:07exploded in the hole.
15:08Bella insisted she had never cheated,
15:10while Jacob refused
15:11to acknowledge the red pup
15:12as his own.
15:13Our father,
15:14completely at a loss,
15:15turned to me.
15:16Selina, what do you think?
15:18This pup wasn't even mine.
15:20I only came here for the show.
15:21I had no intention
15:23of getting involved.
15:24Elias stepped in calmly.
15:26I've heard that the Phoenix Clan
15:28possesses a bloodline
15:29recognition technique.
15:30Since the wolves
15:31and phoenixes
15:32have always been close,
15:33why not invite them
15:34to verify the child's parentage?
15:36Bella immediately
15:37rejected the idea.
15:39No, this is my
15:40and Jacob's child.
15:41We don't need the Phoenix Clan
15:43to confirm anything.
15:44But Jacob nodded coldly.
15:46We'll do as he says.
15:48News of the Phoenix Clan's
15:49involvement spread like wildfire.
15:51People were already curious
15:52about the wolf clan's
15:53newborn half-beast,
15:54and three days later,
15:56crowds flocked
15:56to the wolf clan's domain
15:57to watch the ritual.
15:58Under the phoenix's spell,
16:00five crimson marks
16:01flew from the red pup's forehead.
16:03One mark landed on Jacob's hand,
16:05and the other four shot off
16:06toward various residences
16:07within the wolf clan territory.
16:09You are one of the child's fathers.
16:11The phoenix priest
16:12declared solemnly.
16:13A ripple of gasps
16:15swept through the hall.
16:16What do you mean,
16:17one of the fathers?
16:18You mean this pup
16:19has multiple dads?
16:20But the pup clearly
16:21carries red wolf blood.
16:23Jacob is a purebred white wolf.
16:26Bella really knows
16:27how to have fun.
16:28With a personality like that,
16:30she should have married
16:31into the fox clan instead.
16:32I stood in the crowd
16:33with Elias,
16:34protected within his arms.
16:36Hearing the murmurs around us,
16:37I nearly laughed out loud.
16:39I had always wondered
16:40how Bella managed
16:41to get pregnant.
16:42Now that the truth was out
16:43about the pup
16:44having multiple fathers,
16:45it all made sense.
16:46Bella had likely sought out
16:48several lovers
16:48within the wolf clan
16:49to increase her chances
16:50of conceiving.
16:51A shotgun fertility gamble.
16:53But she hadn't accounted
16:54for one red wolf
16:55with particularly dominant genes
16:57unintentionally exposing her plan.
16:59Was she clever
17:00or just reckless?
17:01If she wanted to take
17:02that kind of risk,
17:03why not stick to white wolves?
17:05Why go and add a red wolf
17:06to the mix?
17:07Jacob's expression
17:08was black as thunder.
17:09His fists clenched tightly,
17:11and he shouted at the servants,
17:12Bring me every wolf in the clan
17:14who bears that same crimson mark.
17:16Soon, four wolf beastmen
17:17were brought in.
17:18Three of them were white wolves.
17:20One was a red wolf.
17:22When I saw the red wolf's face,
17:24I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
17:25That seductive beauty
17:27could rival anyone
17:27from the fox clan.
17:29Bella had always been
17:30obsessed with appearances.
17:31No wonder she risked
17:33everything for a night with him.
17:34Jacob stared at the four beastmen,
17:36none of whom denied
17:37their involvement
17:37and completely lost his temper.
17:39You stood before me
17:40and swore you'd bear me a child,
17:42and this is how you repaid me?
17:43Bella rose to her feet,
17:45still clutching the baby.
17:46She wiped her eyes
17:47and sniffled dramatically.
17:49If you hadn't been whispering
17:50in my ear every day
17:51about how badly
17:52you wanted a child,
17:53I wouldn't have had
17:54to take such desperate measures.
17:56If you weren't so useless,
17:57would this child
17:58look like a red wolf?
17:59Her voice grew
18:00increasingly self-righteous.
18:02And didn't the phoenix
18:03just say the child is yours?
18:05Isn't that enough?
18:06The next ruler of the alliance
18:08will still come
18:08from the wolf clan.
18:09Why are you blaming me?
18:10You should be grateful.
18:12At her words,
18:13the leaders of the Fox
18:14and Dragon clan
18:15stepped forward from the crowd.
18:16The Fox and Dragon clan leaders
18:18immediately stepped in
18:19to challenge Bella's claim.
18:20We do not recognize
18:22this half-beast.
18:23The original agreement
18:24clearly stated the child
18:25must be born of a union
18:26between human
18:27and the firstborn son
18:28of a beast clan household.
18:30If the wolves start
18:31bending the rules like this,
18:32what happens to bloodline purity?
18:34Who knows what kind of monsters
18:36we'd end up with?
18:37This matter requires
18:38the unanimous consent
18:39of the remaining four clans.
18:41As far as the Fox
18:42and Dragon clans are concerned,
18:43we firmly disagree.
18:45The phoenix clan,
18:46standing quietly to the side,
18:48also voiced their stance.
18:50Our clan has long withdrawn
18:51from worldly affairs.
18:53We will not participate
18:54in these political decisions.
18:56Four clans.
18:57One abstained.
18:59Two objected.
19:00As for the lowly snake clan,
19:02no one even bothered
19:03to ask their opinion.
19:04Whatever sliver of hope
19:05Jacob had felt
19:06after hearing Bella's words
19:07instantly vanished.
19:09Rage consumed him once more.
19:11Bella, look at what you've done.
19:12You've disgraced
19:13the entire wolf clan.
19:14On our way home
19:15after the spectacle,
19:17Elias remained unusually quiet.
19:19Only after my persistent prodding
19:20did he finally speak his mind.
19:22You were staring
19:23at that red wolf just now.
19:24Were you thinking
19:25I'm not good looking enough?
19:27His jealous tone
19:28made me grin,
19:28and just like that,
19:30I decided to tease him.
19:31To me,
19:32no one's more handsome
19:33than you, Elias.
19:34Especially at night,
19:35in bed.
19:36I didn't get out of bed
19:37for an entire day after that.
19:39A month later,
19:40Bella showed up
19:41at the snake clan,
19:42battered and bruised,
19:43begging for my help.
19:44Her eyes were red with tears.
19:46Selena, please, help me.
19:48Jacob's gone mad.
19:49He says if I can't
19:51give him a child
19:51that's truly his,
19:52he'll torture me
19:53every single day.
19:54I can't take it anymore.
19:56If I don't get pregnant soon,
19:58I'll die.
19:59Do you know
19:59any secret techniques
20:00that can help?
20:01Her words didn't shock me
20:02in the slightest.
20:04After all,
20:04I had lived through
20:05this nightmare
20:06in my past life.
20:07Bruises covered
20:08her exposed skin,
20:09fresh wounds layered
20:10over old scars.
20:11But she had brought
20:12all of this upon herself.
20:14In my previous life,
20:15she tricked me
20:16into coming home,
20:17pretending she missed me.
20:18Then she drugged
20:19the water my son
20:20and I drank.
20:21When we were too weak
20:22to resist,
20:22she set the house ablaze
20:24and trapped us inside.
20:25I still remember
20:26the way she looked at me
20:27before leaving eyes
20:28mad with hatred
20:28as she screamed.
20:29Selina,
20:30your life was supposed
20:31to be mine.
20:32I should have married
20:33into the wolf clan.
20:34I should have born
20:35their heir.
20:36Now that she had stolen
20:37my life for herself,
20:38what was there to regret?
20:40I gently pulled my hand
20:41free from hers
20:42and calmly replied,
20:43Bella,
20:44it's not that I don't
20:45want to help you.
20:46Simply that pregnancy
20:47between humans
20:48and beast kid
20:48is incredibly rare.
20:50After giving birth,
20:51your body was damaged.
20:53It'll take at least
20:53three to five years
20:54before you can even
20:55try again.
20:56Bella shot to her feet,
20:58her eyes flashing
20:59with fury.
21:00You're lying.
21:00You just don't want
21:01to help me.
21:02You can't stand
21:03to see me happy.
21:04I don't need your help.
21:05I'll find another way.
21:07You think you can
21:08beat me to it?
21:09You'll never give birth
21:10before I do.
21:11She flung open the door
21:12and stormed out.
21:14I could only shake my head.
21:15Everything I said was true.
21:17Pregnancy between species
21:18simply couldn't be forced.
21:20In my past life,
21:21the only reason I succeeded
21:22was because of the mermaid blood
21:23that flowed through my veins.
21:25Back when war broke out,
21:26the mere folk refused
21:27to ally with humans
21:28and retreated into the ocean depths,
21:30cutting ties with the outside world.
21:32My mother,
21:32still young and reckless at the time,
21:34had shapeshifted into human form
21:35and ventured onto land,
21:37where she fell in love
21:37with my father at first sight.
21:39To stay with him,
21:40she severed her tail
21:41and transformed permanently
21:42into a human.
21:43It cost her dearly
21:44she only had five years left to live.
21:46Before she died,
21:47she gave birth to me
21:48and sealed away my beastly nature.
21:50Mare folk are naturally fertile.
21:52In my past life,
21:53I broke the seal on my beast blood
21:55to bear Jacob a child.
21:56It was a slow form of suicide.
21:58Though I eventually succeeded in conceiving,
22:00my mermaid essence drained day by day,
22:03until my life ran out.
22:04This time,
22:05I would never sacrifice myself
22:06so foolishly again.
22:07I thought I'd made peace
22:09with the idea
22:09of never becoming pregnant
22:10in this life,
22:11until something unexpected happened.
22:13Two months later,
22:14one night,
22:15Elias placed a hand on my belly
22:16and suddenly froze.
22:18Selena,
22:19he asked,
22:19when was the last time
22:21you had your period?
22:22I stopped and thought carefully.
22:23It had indeed been almost two months.
22:25My belly had only slightly rounded,
22:27so I just assumed
22:28I'd gained a little weight.
22:29I stared at him,
22:31stunned.
22:31That can't be canon.
22:33Before I could even finish speaking,
22:35Elias leapt out of bed,
22:36dressed,
22:37and bolted out the door
22:38to fetch the physician.
22:39Less than 15 minutes later,
22:41the doctor arrived in our room.
22:42He placed his fingers on my wrist
22:44and began to examine my pulse,
22:46his brow furrowing deeply
22:47as he alternated
22:48between shaking
22:48and nodding his head.
22:49The room was oppressively quiet.
22:52Elias sat beside me,
22:53his face etched with concern.
22:55Finally,
22:56the physician stood
22:57and offered us
22:57a congratulatory bow.
22:59Congratulations, Elias.
23:01Selena is two months pregnant.
23:03Judging by the signs,
23:04she should be ready
23:05to lay her egg
23:06in just a few days.
23:08I had remained calm
23:09until that last part.
23:11Wait, what?
23:12Lay an egg?
23:13I blinked.
23:14Aren't we talking about
23:15having a baby?
23:16Elias chuckled
23:17and gently stroked my head,
23:18explaining,
23:19The snake clan
23:20is a bit different
23:21from the others.
23:22We lay eggs
23:22and hatch our young.
23:24From the moment
23:24we confirmed the pregnancy,
23:26Elias wouldn't let me
23:27lift a finger.
23:28He followed me around
23:29all day,
23:30trying to feed me
23:30tonics and supplements.
23:31He even bought
23:32three immortal honey fruits
23:34legendary,
23:35priceless treasures
23:35said to be the most
23:36coveted nourishment
23:37for expectant mothers.
23:38In my past life,
23:39Jacob had only ever
23:40let me have half a fruit.
23:42How could the impoverished
23:43snake clan
23:43afford three whole ones?
23:45How did you afford this?
23:46I thought the snake clan
23:48was supposed to be...
23:49Before I could finish,
23:50Elias sat beside me
23:51and held a freshly washed
23:52fruit up to my lips.
23:54Selena,
23:55who told you
23:55the snake clan is poor?
23:56Look around our home.
23:58From the flooring
23:59to the vases,
23:59everything here
24:00is expensive.
24:01I glanced around properly
24:02for the first time.
24:04The decor,
24:04though simple and clean,
24:06was unmistakably high-end.
24:08But isn't the snake clan
24:09ranked last
24:09among the great families?
24:11Don't they say
24:11you barely get
24:12a share of resources?
24:14Elias gave a soft laugh.
24:16We snakes
24:16have always kept
24:17a low profile.
24:18We earn our wealth
24:19through business,
24:20unlike the other clans
24:21who rely on power
24:22and politics.
24:23If we rank the clans
24:24by wealth,
24:25we'd confidently claim first.
24:26Our people pursue immortality.
24:28Most of our wealth
24:29goes toward cultivating
24:31and refining
24:31spiritual medicine.
24:32This world's resources
24:34are limited.
24:34We have no interest
24:36in squabbling
24:36with other clans
24:37for scraps.
24:38Our ambition lies
24:39beyond all that.
24:40His explanation
24:41made everything click.
24:42No wonder
24:43every snake clansman
24:44I'd met
24:45had carried
24:45an ethereal aura.
24:46They were secretly
24:47training to ascend.
24:49Now that I knew
24:49we weren't short on money,
24:50I immediately dragged
24:52Elias out
24:52for a shopping spree.
24:54Halfway down the street,
24:55we ran into Bella.
24:56Her belly was noticeably swollen
24:58as she clung sweetly
24:59to Jacob's arm,
25:00picking out accessories.
25:01Since her second pregnancy,
25:03Jacob had apparently
25:04forgiven her
25:05for her past betrayal.
25:06The two were back
25:07to playing the doting couple.
25:08Now that Jacob
25:09was watching her
25:10like a hawk,
25:10there was no question
25:11this child truly
25:12belonged to him.
25:13Selina,
25:14what a surprise
25:15to see you out and about.
25:16Bella cooed,
25:17deliberately resting
25:17both hands on her belly
25:18to flaunt her pregnancy.
25:20I smiled politely.
25:21I'm picking out a gift
25:22for father's
25:23upcoming birthday celebration.
25:25Her gaze drifted down
25:26to our empty hands
25:27and she scoffed.
25:28Well,
25:28make sure it's
25:29something decent.
25:30Even if you don't
25:31have much money,
25:32you shouldn't embarrass father.
25:33The snake clan
25:34hadn't yet made
25:35my pregnancy public
25:36and Elias worried
25:37her words might upset me.
25:38He immediately
25:39stepped forward,
25:40shielding me behind him.
25:41Bella,
25:42our family matters
25:43are none of your concern.
25:44As for father's gift,
25:46we will prepare it
25:47with due care and respect.
25:48Bella gave a cold snort,
25:50flicked her sleeves,
25:51and walked off.
25:52Seven days later,
25:53at the birthday banquet,
25:55Bella and I
25:55sat on either side
25:56of father.
25:57Her belly was enormous,
25:58clearly carrying
25:59more than one child.
26:00Mine, by contrast,
26:01was still only faintly rounded.
26:03You knew how to get pregnant
26:04all along
26:05and still hid it from me,
26:06she sneered.
26:07But it doesn't matter,
26:08I beat you to it.
26:09You'll never catch up now.
26:10I opened my mouth
26:11to ask what she meant,
26:12but a sudden sharp pain
26:13twisted in my abdomen.
26:14It was the onset of labor.
26:16Elias noticed right away.
26:18He sprang to his feet,
26:19scooped me into his arms,
26:20and rushed for the door.
26:22Just as we were leaving,
26:23Bella suddenly began
26:24clutching her belly
26:25and moaning in pain.
26:26Someone in the crowd
26:27cried out,
26:28Bella is going into labor too.
26:30Get her to the birthing hall.
26:31At that moment,
26:32the sky lit up
26:33with a burst of violet light.
26:35Multicolored rays
26:36spread across the heavens,
26:37and birdsong filled
26:38the air a divine omen.
26:39Before I lost consciousness,
26:41I heard the sound
26:42of joyous cries
26:43echo through the hall.
26:44It's a heavenly sign.
26:45This child is destined
26:46to lead us
26:46into a new golden age.
26:48When I woke,
26:49three eggs lay nestled
26:51in the incubator
26:51beside me.
26:52Elias sat at my side,
26:54gently wiping the sweat
26:55from my brow
26:55with a soft towel.
26:56I was just about to speak
26:58when a scream
26:58pierced the air
26:59it was Bella.
27:00Pre-Rees Concer.
27:02I can't do this.
27:03I don't want
27:04to give birth anymore.
27:05Just kill me,
27:07please.
27:07Kill me now.
27:09Bella, hold on.
27:10You're almost there.
27:11Her sobbing
27:12and the midwife's encouragement
27:13overlapped in a chaotic chorus.
27:15Our birthing rooms
27:16were separated
27:17by only a single wall.
27:18She was still
27:19in the middle of labor.
27:20Selena,
27:21you've been through so much.
27:22Elias murmured,
27:23pressing a kiss
27:24to my forehead.
27:25His gaze held concern,
27:27guilt,
27:27and overwhelming tenderness.
27:29Is it too noisy here?
27:30Should I take you
27:31and the little ones home
27:32so you can rest properly?
27:34In my past life,
27:35after I gave birth,
27:36Jacob had eyes
27:37only for the child.
27:38He didn't care
27:39that I'd labored
27:39for an entire day and night.
27:41He shoved the baby
27:42into my arms
27:43and demanded
27:43I start nursing immediately.
27:45To him,
27:46I was nothing more
27:47than a means
27:47to produce a half-beast heir,
27:49someone to help him
27:49secure power.
27:50He didn't care
27:51about my body
27:52or my pain,
27:52but Elias was different.
27:54From beginning to end,
27:55his eyes never left me.
27:57He hadn't even asked me
27:58to hatch the eggs myself.
27:59Instead,
28:00he placed them gently
28:01in the incubator
28:02and watched over them himself.
28:03It's all right,
28:04I said softly.
28:05I want to see
28:06how Bella's labor is going.
28:08This time,
28:08I hadn't felt
28:09the agony of childbirth.
28:11Delivering three tiny snake eggs
28:12had been unusually easy
28:13it was over
28:14before I even realized,
28:15like waking from a short nap.
28:17I got up and went next door,
28:19leaving Elias behind
28:20to watch over the eggs.
28:21Inside,
28:22Bella was writhing on the bed,
28:23sobbing like her heart
28:24was being torn apart.
28:26Every time she nearly
28:27lost consciousness
28:27from the pain,
28:28the midwife pried her eyes open
28:30and screamed at her
28:31to stay awake.
28:32Half an hour later,
28:33the child was finally born.
28:35The moment the midwife
28:36caught sight of it,
28:37she shrieked in horror.
28:38A monster.
28:39Bella has given birth
28:40to a monster.
28:41I stepped closer to see
28:43and recoiled in shock.
28:44The child had three legs
28:46and four eyes.
28:47Hearing the commotion,
28:48Jacob burst into the room.
28:50He froze at the sight
28:51before him.
28:52Bella, however,
28:53smiled with motherly affection.
28:55The three-legged,
28:56four-eyed creature
28:56clung to her chest,
28:58nursing loudly
28:58as if nothing were amiss.
29:00Jacob gagged,
29:01turned green,
29:02and ran out the door,
29:03clutching his mouth.
29:05Bella let out a cold,
29:06mocking laugh.
29:07He's the father,
29:08so why is he so disgusted?
29:10News of the wolf clan's
29:11monstrous birth spread quickly
29:13and even reached the ears
29:14of the phoenix clan's
29:15high priest.
29:16The priest examined
29:17the drooling child carefully
29:18and then turned to Bella.
29:20Bella,
29:20did you consume anything unusual
29:22during your pregnancy?
29:23By all accounts,
29:24this child should have been normal.
29:26Bella paled.
29:27Her right hand trembled
29:28as she retrieved a small bottle
29:30from her sleeve
29:30and handed it over.
29:32I took this.
29:33You can save my baby,
29:34can't you?
29:35The priest didn't respond
29:37right away.
29:38He uncorked the bottle
29:39and upon smelling the contents,
29:40gave a knowing sigh.
29:42This is a rat clan fertility aid,
29:44rat eggs.
29:45There's a folk remedy
29:46that claims taking one a day
29:47for 30 days
29:48will guarantee conception.
29:49But even so,
29:50the child shouldn't have
29:51turned out this,
29:52malformed.
29:53The rat clan was immediately
29:54summoned and dragged
29:55before the wolf clan.
29:57The moment Bella
29:57saw the man responsible,
29:59she stormed over
30:00and grabbed him
30:00by the throat,
30:01screaming.
30:02Why isn't my baby normal?
30:04What did you do to me?
30:05Rat clansman,
30:06trembling under the weight
30:07of the moment
30:07and visibly shaken
30:08by the sight of the creature,
30:10shoved Bella away
30:10and dropped to his knees
30:11before Jacob.
30:13This,
30:13this must be because
30:15Bella didn't follow instructions.
30:16She must have overdosed
30:18on the rat eggs.
30:19Otherwise,
30:20this wouldn't have happened.
30:21Bella stared him down,
30:23eyes blazing.
30:24You said 30 days
30:25would guarantee one child.
30:27So I figured,
30:28if I took them for 60 days,
30:30wouldn't I get two?
30:32and four eyes.
30:33Hearing the commotion,
30:35Jacob burst into the room.
30:36He froze in the sight
30:37before him.
30:39Bella, however,
30:39smiled with motherly affection.
30:41The three-legged,
30:42four-eyed creature
30:43clung to her chest,
30:44nursing loudly
30:45as if nothing were amiss.
30:47Jacob gagged,
30:48turned green,
30:48and ran out the door,
30:50clutching his mouth.
30:51Bella let out a cold,
30:53mocking laugh.
30:54He's the father,
30:55so why is he so disgusted?
30:57News of the wolf clan's
30:58monstrous birth
30:58spread quickly
30:59and even reached the ears
31:00of the phoenix clan's
31:01high priest.
31:02The priest examined
31:03the drooling child carefully
31:04and then turned to Bella.
31:06Bella,
31:07did you consume anything unusual
31:08during your pregnancy?
31:10By all accounts,
31:11this child should have been normal.
31:13Bella paled.
31:14Her right hand trembled
31:15as she retrieved
31:16a small bottle from her sleeve
31:17and handed it over.
31:18I took this.
31:20You can save my baby,
31:21can't you?
31:22The priest didn't respond
31:23right away.
31:24He uncorked the bottle
31:25and upon smelling the contents,
31:27gave a knowing sigh.
31:28This is a rat clan fertility aid,
31:30rat eggs.
31:31There's a folk remedy
31:32that claims taking one a day
31:34for 30 days
31:34will guarantee conception.
31:36But even so,
31:37the child shouldn't have
31:38turned up this,
31:39malformed.
31:40The rat clan was immediately
31:41summoned and dragged
31:42before the wolf clan.
31:43The moment Bella
31:44saw the man responsible,
31:45she stormed over
31:46and grabbed him
31:47by the throat,
31:48screaming.
31:48Why isn't my baby normal?
31:50What did you do to me?
31:52Rat clansman,
31:53trembling under the weight
31:53of the moment
31:54and visibly shaken
31:55by the sight of the creature,
31:56shoved Bella away
31:57and dropped to his knees
31:58before Jacob.
31:59This,
32:00this must be because
32:01Bella didn't follow instructions.
32:03She must have overdosed
32:04on the rat eggs.
32:06Otherwise,
32:06this wouldn't have happened.
32:08Bella stared him down,
32:09eyes blazing.
32:10You said 30 days
32:11would guarantee one child.
32:13So I figured,
32:15if I took them for 60 days,
32:17wouldn't I get two?
32:18As soon as Bella spoke,
32:20everyone present
32:20finally understood the truth.
32:22Had she followed
32:23the instructions properly,
32:24she might have had
32:25a healthy child.
32:26But her greed
32:27had doomed her.
32:28The scandal made
32:28the wolf clan
32:29a laughingstock yet again.
32:31Rumors spread
32:31that Jacob was impotent
32:33and that his wife
32:33had not only cheated on him
32:35but even resorted
32:35to using a crude
32:36fertility folk remedy
32:37from the lowly rat clan.
32:38Jacob,
32:39already in a foul mood,
32:40would only grow more cruel
32:42to Bella after this humiliation.
32:43A month later,
32:45just as I was shopping
32:45for cloth to make clothes
32:46for my babies
32:47and preparing to head home,
32:48I saw Bella
32:49cradling a basket
32:50to her chest
32:50and sneaking
32:51into a secluded alley.
32:52Word on the street
32:53was that Bella
32:54had lost her mind.
32:55She was said
32:56to be snatching children
32:56from around the wolf clan.
32:58I didn't give it much thought.
33:00With a cheerful heart,
33:01I returned home,
33:02eager to welcome
33:03my soon-to-hatch little ones.
33:04But the door to my room
33:06stood wide open
33:06and the incubator was empty.
33:08All three snake eggs
33:10were gone.
33:10Panic surged through me.
33:12I suddenly remembered
33:13the green cloth
33:14covering Bella's basket.
33:15It looked exactly
33:15like the handkerchief
33:16I'd left on my writing desk.
33:18I grabbed the dagger
33:19Elias had given me
33:20for self-defense
33:20and sprinted toward the alley
33:22where Bella had disappeared.
33:23Deep inside,
33:24I found a dilapidated courtyard
33:26where her eerie voice echoed.
33:28Babies,
33:29don't be afraid.
33:30Mommy's right here with you.
33:31I caught her off guard
33:32and pressed the blade
33:33to her neck,
33:34cold fury in my voice.
33:35Bella,
33:36give me back my children.
33:37But when I looked down
33:38into the basket,
33:39my heart dropped.
33:40The eggs had already hatched
33:42and the baby snakes
33:43were gone.
33:44Dead?
33:45Escaped?
33:46As I stood frozen,
33:47Bella shoved me back
33:48and let out a crazed,
33:49maniacal laugh.
33:51They're dead.
33:51My babies are dead.
33:53And now,
33:53so are yours.
33:54Isn't it wonderful?
33:56Truly wonderful.
33:57My eyes burned with rage.
33:59I lunged forward,
34:00ready to drive the blade
34:01into her
34:01and avenge my children.
34:03Suddenly,
34:04Elias burst in.
34:05A flash of silver
34:06streaked from him
34:07a tiny snake,
34:08mouth wide,
34:09sank its fangs
34:09deep into Bella's neck.
34:10In an instant,
34:11she collapsed,
34:12coughing up blood,
34:13dead with her eyes
34:14still wide open.
34:15The little silver snake
34:16slithered up my arm
34:17and coiled itself there.
34:19Mom!
34:19said,
34:20I avenged you.
34:21It was Tristan's voice.
34:23He had become my child
34:24once more.
34:25I cupped him gently
34:26in my palms
34:26and kissed his forehead.
34:28Bella's death
34:29didn't stir any waves.
34:30My father,
34:31already disgraced
34:32by her actions,
34:33had long stopped
34:34acknowledging her
34:34as his daughter.
34:35As for Jacob,
34:36he couldn't have been
34:37more eager for her
34:38to disappear.
34:39Seven days later,
34:41all three of my baby snakes
34:42took human form.
34:43The sky once again erupted
34:45in violet light
34:45and dazzling rainbow clouds.
34:47Birds filled the heavens
34:48with song
34:49It was another divine omen.
34:50Then,
34:51my entire body
34:52began to glow
34:53with golden light.
34:54In the blink of an eye,
34:55a shimmering emerald serpent's tail
34:56extended from me,
34:57and my eyes turned
34:58a brilliant green.
34:59A voice echoed
35:00from the heavens
35:01It was the Celestial Emperor.
35:03Snake Immortal Selina,
35:04for your mischief
35:05a thousand years ago
35:06shattering the Celestial Furnace
35:08and plunging the three realms
35:09into chaos
35:09you have now completed
35:11your ten lives
35:11of tribulation.
35:12You may return to heaven
35:14and resume your post.
35:15Memories flooded my mind.
35:17I had once been a flower,
35:18a stone,
35:19a phoenix,
35:20a mermaid.
35:20In every life,
35:22Elias had been there,
35:23guarding me faithfully.
35:24He could have ascended long ago,
35:26but in our final life,
35:27he gave up a thousand years
35:28of cultivation
35:29to save me.
35:30Before I left,
35:31Elias held my hand
35:32and whispered,
35:33Wait for me,
35:33Selina.
35:34I'll be with you
35:35in heaven soon.
35:36The blessing of ascension
35:37rained down upon the earth.
35:39All the serpent beastkin
35:40knelt to receive the divine light.
35:42We respectfully be a farewell
35:43to the snake immortal.
35:45May she protect us
35:46for generations to come.
35:47In a flash of white light,
35:49I returned to heaven
35:50and resumed my role
35:51as the snake immortal,
35:52guardian of the celestial garden.
35:54Five hundred years later,
35:55I was curled up
35:56under the covers,
35:57enjoying a lazy nap,
35:58when a familiar fragrance
35:59drifted into my nose.
36:00A warm embrace
36:01wrapped around me.
36:03Then came a voice,
36:04deep and beloved.
36:05Selina, I'm back.
36:06Everyone who ever hurt you
36:08is gone.
36:10Clayton outta bed.
36:10to收
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